Fine Art Images from the American Southwest
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Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. May our days be filled with happiness, love, and laughter as we celebrate with family and friends. Happy Holidays!
Thank you for a great year. Thanks for joining me here, for your support and friendship, and for joining me on one of my photo tour workshops. I hope everyone has a wonderful time. See you next week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, cormorants roosting along the Rio Chama near Abiquiu, Taos Mountain, a favorite wild horse photo, and the Bisti Badlands near Chaco Canyon.
Twelve years ago, I created the piece below titled “Leaving the Roost.” Unfortunately, the original piece disappeared, so I spent an hour locating the original individual shots to recreate it. The piece measures 80″x80″ and is now ready to be sent to the printer. I particularly enjoy the ‘wild’ panorama stitching that follows the shape of the old cottonwood and how many cormorants utilize this tree. This one is for you, Larry H.
Clearing storm, on the mountain.
Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness near Chaco Canyon. Over the years, I’ve spent many months camping in this area. I think my first camping trip here was in 1989, when it was a wilderness study area. Here’s a petrified tree stump. Click on the photo to enlarge.
As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G
Let me know if you want to go to the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness.
Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is a designated wilderness area located in northwestern New Mexico, known for its unique and otherworldly landscape. This area is part of the larger San Juan Basin and is characterized by its striking badlands, which feature a variety of unusual geological formations.
Here are some key features of the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness:
Visitors to Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness should be prepared for a remote and challenging environment. It’s important to bring sufficient water, navigation tools, and be mindful of Leave No Trace principles to preserve the area’s natural beauty.
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, lenticular clouds, and this seems to be the season. Although these clouds can appear throughout the year, they are particularly abundant right now. Their stunning, lens-like shapes add a touch of magic to the already breathtaking landscape, making this time of year truly special.
Enjoy! And click on the image to enlarge.
Click on the image below for a full panorama of the total event. I was driving home from Santa Fe when this happened. I believe it was visible across the entire state.
Lenticular clouds with Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds that look like ocean waves are forming.
Lenticular clouds are lens-shaped clouds that typically form at high altitudes, often in perpendicular alignment to the wind direction. They are scientifically known as “altocumulus lenticularis” and are most commonly found in mountainous regions. These clouds form when stable, moist air flows over a mountain or a range of mountains, creating a series of oscillating waves. If the temperature at the crest of these waves drops to the dew point, moisture in the air condenses to form clouds.
Lenticular clouds are known for their distinctive, smooth, and often saucer-like appearance, which can sometimes be mistaken for UFOs. They are stationary, meaning they don’t move with the wind like other clouds, but instead remain fixed in position while the air flows through them.
These clouds can indicate turbulence for aircraft, as the wave patterns that create them can also produce strong updrafts and downdrafts. Despite this, they are often admired for their striking and unusual appearance, making them a popular subject for photographers and cloud enthusiasts.
Click here for more on these clouds from Earthsky.
Looking north from the New Mexico/Colorado state line.
As always, thanks for looking and all the comments, compliments, and emails. Have a great week. G
Greetings from New Mexico. This week, wild horses. For the last three weeks, I’ve been in the landscape of a Georgia O’Keeffe painting, exploring the areas around Abiquiu, and Ghost Ranch, NM, five times, and again tomorrow. I never tire of it, but it’s time for a change and to head out in search of wild horses, sandhill cranes, hawks, and elk. A change of scenery and subject is always good for the soul and the portfolio.
The following two images were taken in spring.
These two were trucking along foraging in the fields near Monte Vista NWR.
Hawks are plentiful, and this time of year, in old snags and on power poles.
I doubt it will snow on the peaks before next week, but horses are always fun to spot. Here’s a band on the plateau with Blanca Peak in Colorado.
As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G
My photo essay on the San Luis Valley, in the form of a PDF to download.
If you’d like to read more, here’s a brief account of the area.
The Taos Volcanic Plateau and the San Luis Valley are remarkable landscapes in the southwestern United States, known for their unique geological features and diverse wildlife.
The Taos Volcanic Plateau, located in northern New Mexico, is a striking expanse formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. This plateau is characterized by its rugged terrain, with ancient lava flows, cinder cones, and volcanic peaks, such as Ute Mountain and San Antonio Mountain. The Rio Grande Gorge, a dramatic canyon carved by the Rio Grande, slices through the plateau, providing a stunning natural spectacle and a vital habitat for various species.
Adjacent to the plateau, the San Luis Valley stretches across southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. This high-altitude valley is one of the largest in the world, flanked by the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountain ranges. Its vast, flat expanse is dotted with wetlands, grasslands, and desert shrublands, creating a mosaic of habitats that support a rich array of wildlife.
The wildlife in these regions is as diverse as the landscapes themselves. The Taos Volcanic Plateau and the San Luis Valley are home to numerous bird species, making them popular destinations for birdwatchers. The wetlands and riparian areas attract migratory birds such as sandhill cranes, which stop over in the valley during their long journeys. Raptors, including golden eagles and red-tailed hawks, soar above the open spaces, while songbirds flit among the shrubs and trees.
Mammals also thrive in these areas. Mule deer and elk roam the grasslands and forests, while smaller creatures like coyotes, foxes, and rabbits are common sights. The plateau and valley provide critical habitat for more elusive species as well, such as bobcats and mountain lions, which find refuge in the rugged terrain.
The Taos Volcanic Plateau and the San Luis Valley are not only geological and ecological treasures but also cultural and historical ones. Indigenous peoples have lived in these regions for thousands of years, and their deep connection to the land is evident in the rich cultural heritage that persists today.
Together, these landscapes offer a glimpse into the dynamic interplay of natural forces and the resilience of life in a challenging environment. They remind us of the importance of preserving such unique ecosystems for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
Hello from New Mexico! This week, we’re experiencing some beautiful autumn colors. There’s plenty to enjoy, but I wanted to share a little gem I found this week in Valle Escondido, NM. The scenery out there is stunning, and I hope it’s just as beautiful where you are. I must admit, though, the season seems to be moving along quickly.
No photo tour to the San Luis Valley is complete without a stop at the old homestead, you know the one! With storm clouds building, but no precipitation yet, my client, Susan, and I stopped in here on a photo workshop to see what was brewing visually.
A wide view of our valley and mountains.
This week’s “Print of the Week”. taken the same week at the location above.
As always, thank you for looking. I hope you’re enjoying Autumn where you are. G
Greetings from New Mexico. I’m on the road with photo workshops this week. Here’s a glimpse of the Rio Grande, which, despite its name, isn’t quite as grand at the moment with Ute Mountain rising majestically from the Taos Plateau Volcanic Field. This photograph was taken in the morning on the second day of a five-day workshop. So far, so good.
A drive on US 64 through Chama to Highway 17 over the Cumbres Pass revealed stunning fall color. I hope you are enjoying fall, autumn where you are.
As always, thank you for looking and taking the time to comment. Have a great week. G
Greetings from New Mexico. This week, I’m taking a look back at past Septembers, the month of the fall equinox.
Beginning with this shot of our mountains from El Prado.
Often the first aspens to start turning in the Valle Vidal high country.
The view heading home. Not a bad close to the day.
The overhang in this photo has since fallen off. Glad I missed that!
From the Lobatos Bridge in Colorado. And a view looking north. Read more about the Lobatos Bridge Outdoor Classroom Project.
Not really a lake, but a pond in the mountains.
Backlit sunflower on the fall equinox against the setting sun across the plateau.
Coyote crossing a field in Taos.
Some areas turn sooner than others. I found this branch and color in Garcia Park.
Print of the week.
As always, thanks for looking and all the comments, compliments, and support. G
Greetings from New Mexico. This week, a few more prints, on display this weekend at the “Taos Artist Combo” show at the Stables Gallery in Taos.
As always, thanks for looking and all the comments and compliments. I look forward to seeing you this coming weekend. G
Greetings from New Mexico. This week, some images of fall colors taken in previous years on trips to Crested Butte. I’ll have some of these images as prints in the upcoming Artist Combo Show in Taos on September 12-14 at the Stables Gallery. I look forward to seeing you there.
I love making prints. In days past, it wasn’t a photograph until it was printed. This is the first time I’ve printed this image. You can see it at the show next week.
New Mexico is stunning in the fall, but I’ve always considered the last week of September a must for a trip to Colorado.
Crested Butte, Colorado, is renowned for its stunning fall colors, making it a popular destination for photographers, hikers, and nature lovers. The area is particularly famous for its vibrant aspen groves, which turn brilliant shades of yellow, gold, and sometimes red during the autumn months.
Best Time to Visit.
The peak color in Crested Butte typically occurs from late September to early October. However, the exact timing can vary each year based on weather conditions, altitude, and other factors. It’s a good idea to check local reports or contact local businesses for the most current information on the status of the leaves.
Best Places to See Fall Colors.
As always, thanks for looking and following along. G
Hello from San Cristobal, New Mexico! This weekend marks the summer solstice, occurring on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 8:42 p.m. MDT. Over the years, I have made it a tradition to spend both the summer and winter solstices out with my camera, often capturing images at the precise moment of the solstice. While it’s not always eventful, the occasions when I do capture something are particularly memorable and enjoyable.
Below, I’ve shared some images from previous years where I managed to capture moments during the summer solstice that were especially meaningful to me. One of my favorites was taken in Plaza Blanca, NM. It was also a relief to find some shade in an alcove where I set up for the shot. Enjoy!
I hope you’ll enjoy the following moments and can get out on Friday for the Summer Solstice, and catch the moment.
A visit to Valle Vidal is sure to be filled with delightful experiences.
And lastly the print of the week, a solstice moment taken in Taos NM,
As always, Thanks for looking. Have a great week. G
